There are certain areas of your home that can be renovated to help your autistic child. The kitchen is not an area you may think of during these renovations. The truth is, there are several kitchen renovations available that can help your autistic child have a calmer environment during the day. Here are a few of those renovations and what you need to know about each option. Keep in mind these options are to help children who are autistic and experience sensory reactions and meltdowns due to environmental factors.
Adjustable Lighting
One of the first things that many autistic children react to is the lighting of a space. In the kitchen, the lighting tends to be brighter and come from several locations, such as above the oven. If this is the case in your kitchen, you can make a simple renovation to the kitchen lighting. This renovation allows you to have fully adjustable lighting so that certain areas can be dimmed while others remain bright. You can also have the entire kitchen lighting system be set to an adjustable switch.
Soft-Shut Drawers and Cabinets
Any loud noise, such as the slamming of kitchen and cabinet doors, can cause an autistic child to have sensory reactions. One way to cut down on this during a kitchen renovation is to replace current drawers and cabinets with soft-shut options. These options close slowly and help prevent any type of loud crashing or slamming sound. The soft-shut technology tends to use air pressure to help slow down the shutting motion and give a quiet but complete closure.
Cushioned Flooring
If you have considered updating your kitchen flooring during a kitchen renovation, one of the options you may have noticed is cushioned flooring. This flooring gives a soft feel while still remaining durable to the different environmental factors persistent in kitchens. The softer flooring helps cushion the autistic child's feet and may feel less jarring when they walk. This can help to reduce sensory reactions and meltdowns that may be caused by unpleasant reactions in the body and joints.
When you are ready to move forward with these or other kitchen renovations, contact your local kitchen contractor. They can help you with design options and pricing. They can also give you suggestions for additional renovations that may help you and your autistic child in the kitchen. If you have further questions, they can handle those during the consultation.
